Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT126 S3 Q20 Explanation

Scientists studying a common type

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsMain Conclusion

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Stimulus

Scientists studying a common type of bacteria have discovered that most bacteria of that type are in hibernation at any given time. Some microbiologists have concluded from this that bacteria in general are usually in hibernation. This conclusion would be reasonable if all types of bacteria were rather similar. is unlikely that most types of bacteria hibernate regularly.

What this question is testing

Main Conclusion

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
20.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the overall conclusion of

Answer choices

  1. Unsupported0% picked this

    Bacteria of most types are usually

    The argument does not suggest that most types of bacteria are usually in hibernation.

  2. Correct76% picked this

    It is probably not true that most types of bacteria

    Why this is right

    This best paraphrases the argument’s conclusion.

    Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

  3. Assumption9% picked this

    If bacteria are extremely diverse, it is unlikely that most types of

    This is an unstated assumption of the argument.

  4. Evidence13% picked this

    The conclusion that bacteria in general are usually in hibernation would be reasonable if all types of

    This is evidence that supports the argument’s conclusion.

  5. Too Strong1% picked this

    It is likely that only one type of bacteria

    The argument does not go so far as suggesting that only one type of bacteria regularly hibernates.

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